Cher Horowitz has taken her Beverly Hills high-fashion lifestyle, friendships, and matchmaking skills to London’s West End as the beloved 1990s teen film Clueless gets a musical makeover.
A 90s Classic Comes to Life on Stage
The stage adaptation has been crafted by the film’s original writer and director, Amy Heckerling, who insisted on preserving the 90s essence. “I have no interest in being modern,” Heckerling stated—music to the ears of longtime fans who still quote “As if!” and admire Cher’s iconic plaid ensembles.
Following the journey of a naïve yet lovable teenager who plays matchmaker for her friends before discovering love herself, Clueless was originally inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma. The film perfectly captured 90s teen culture and influenced a generation of school dramas, from Mean Girls to Gossip Girl and Legally Blonde.
A Soundtrack Packed with 90s Energy
The musical features an original score by Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, best known for hits like Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Suddenly I See. Speaking to the BBC, Tunstall described working on the show as a “dream project”, calling the original film “omnipotent” in the 90s for shaping fashion, culture, and music.
Tunstall took inspiration from the film’s soundtrack, crafting what she describes as “a mixtape of all your favorite 90s bangers.” However, composing for a film-turned-musical posed challenges. “You really have to think about whether a song fits the structure and flow of the story and whether it actually helps the audience understand the narrative better,” she explained.
Interestingly, Heckerling revealed she always wished the film had been a musical, as “there were natural moments in the script where characters could have sung.”
Mixed Reviews from Critics
Reviews of the musical’s score have been varied. The Guardian criticized the songs as “disappointingly flat-footed” and more expository than emotionally driven. Likewise, The Telegraph commented that while the numbers aimed to match the period, they felt too generic.
On the other hand, What’sOnStage praised Tunstall’s “infuriatingly catchy tunes” and lyricist Glenn Slater’s “nifty, witty lyrics”.
Cher Horowitz Finds a New Star
For Clueless: The Musical, Emma Flynn makes her West End debut as Cher. Critics have lauded her performance, with the Evening Standard describing it as “powerfully sung, channelling both Alicia Silverstone in the original movie and Sabrina Carpenter today, while making the role entirely her own.”
Flynn appreciates how the musical format allows deeper character exploration. “In the film, you hear Cher’s inner monologues, but in this show, you get insight into all of the characters’ thoughts, which makes you feel more connected to them,” she explained.
Keelan McAuley, who plays the lovable nerd Josh, highlighted the play’s nostalgic appeal. “The flip phone was the most advanced technology in the 90s, and there’s something so enchanting about a time without social media,” he told the BBC.
A Nostalgic Celebration with a Modern Twist
Remaining faithful to the 1995 film, the musical is packed with iconic 90s fashion, glitzy pagers, and Walkman playlists filled with angsty teen anthems. However, Heckerling acknowledges that even the original film presented an idealized version of LA life, far removed from the city’s social and political issues at the time.
The Independent noted that while the first half of the show “sticks to the original movie like chewing gum to the underside of a school desk,” the second half takes creative liberties that allow the story’s emotional depth to shine.
Why Clueless Remains a Timeless Favorite
For Tunstall, what sets Clueless apart from other rom-coms and high school dramas is its kindness—there’s no real villain, and the characters are well-intentioned. “People relate to Cher on a deeper level,” she said, referencing the character’s efforts to process her mother’s death and maintain family stability.
Jane Austen originally believed Emma wouldn’t be widely loved, yet Cher Horowitz has remained a fan favorite for decades. Tunstall believes it’s because her journey of self-discovery and growth is universal, ensuring Clueless remains an enduring classic.
For tickets and more information on Clueless: The Musical, visit London Theatre.
